70 THE AMEKICAN MONTHLY [March, 



The Influence of Bacteria upon the Digestion of Children.* 



Baginsky, in a paper before the Berlin Medical Society, states that 

 the bacterium of the lactic fermentation causes the production of acetic 

 acid and acetone, as well as lactic acid. This formation goes on with- 

 out oxygen, and is not hindered by the bile. 



The neutral lactates are changed to butyric acid ; starch is not changed 

 to sugar, nor is casein or albumin decomposed. The gases formed 

 when acetic acid is produced are carbonic acid, hydrogen, and methane. 



He proposes to name this bacterium the ''acetic bacterium." He 

 further found that this bacterium is destroyed by acetic acid. 



In examining the stools of children suffering from cholera infantum, 

 he isolated a bacterium which produced green stools (the germ of 

 Hayem and Lesage), and also a bacterium growing in white colonies. 

 Both of these liquefy gelatine, and both are inhibited in their develop- 

 ment by the acetic bacterium ; this germ has the property of prevent- 

 ing the growth of pathogenic germs in the intestine. 



Baginskv considers that only the primary manifestations of cholera 

 infantum are caused by bacteria, and that the secondary, severer phases 

 result from the extensive anatomical lesions which have occurred in 

 the intestine. It is evident that the treatment of a given case will de- 

 pend upon the stage of the disease. He found that calomel, boric acid, 

 and resorcin prevent the growth of the acetic bacteria ; naphthaline 

 and iodoform are inert. If the case is seen early, when acetic fermen- 

 tation is excessive, these remedies and the withdrawal of milk are indi- 

 cated. If pathogenic bacteria have accumulated in the stomach or 

 intestines, irrigation with anti-septic fluids is advised. Each case 

 must be studied separately, and interference with the conservative pro- 

 cess, as shown in the inhibitory action of certain bacteria, should only 

 be undertaken intelligently. 



EDITORIAL. 



International Competition in Microscopy. — This term does not 

 well express what we wish to say, but will perhaps do for lack of abet- 

 ter. In the present number Prof. Hitchcock gives us an interesting 

 account of work abroad upon microscopical apparatus, and Dr. Det- 

 mers tells of his excellent success with home-made apparatus. The 

 former is perhaps one of the most appreciative writers upon German 

 o-oods and the latter upon American. What we particularly want to 

 say is that it is the business of this periodical to give all sides a hearing. 

 But in so doing there is sometimes danger of writers getting antago- 

 nistic to each other and of their wishing to say sharp things. Before 

 the occasion arises, therefore, we announce that while giving the utmost 

 liberty to each to praise his favorite apparatus, no matter where made, 

 we shall draw a firm line at the point where personalities might occur ; 

 and, if we know it, we shall not admit untrue or questionable state- 

 ments even when authors do assume the responsibility. If such creep 

 in, the gravity of the case will determine whether to correct the same. 

 Whatever is said or not said must be with due regard to the rights and 



*Berlin, Klinisch, Wochensch, No 26, 1888 ; Amer. Jour. Med. Sciences, Oct. 1888. 



